Contact training device

ABSTRACT

A contact training device for batting practice that includes a mounting base having bores therein, peg supports removably attachable to the mounting base bores and a peg mounted to each peg support. A number of pegs may be assembled on the mounting board at one time to allow for batters of varying heights and/or to provide a single batter a number of targets, simulating various pitches, at which to swing. The pegs are made of a flexible, resilient material such that when struck by a batter, deflect and thereby provide feedback to the batter as to direction of swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an athletic training device and moreparticularly to a contact training device for batting practice.

To develop the unique hand-to-eye coordination necessary to become aneffective batter, the batter must practice, and practice and practicesome more. The traditional method of practicing involves a pitcherpitching a ball to a practicing batter. This method requires an extraperson, namely the pitcher, to be present during batting practice.However, a pitcher is not always available at the batter's desiredtimes; and often, the pitcher has only a limited repertoire of pitcheswhich in turn inhibits the quality of the batting practice.

Over the years, pitching machines have developed and have eliminated thenecessity of the human pitcher during batting practice. Additionally,these machines often incorporate a multitude of pitches resulting in amore effective practice session. However, for the average person, thesemachines are cost prohibitive. Thus, commercial enterprises such asathletic/health clubs or amusement parks but these machines, establishbatting cages and charge their patrons for their use on an hourly or perpitch basis. For an avid batter, the cost can be prohibitive.

Beyond pitching machines, other batting practice devices have developed.For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,516,771; 4,451,036 and 3,940,131 disclosevarious batting aids. Each of these inventions propose two extendingarms that a batter swings between to develop a level swing. Each ofthese inventions offers only one target at which to aim; and ifdifferent target heights are desired, the apparatus itself must beadjusted. These devices not only make batting at different height levelsquite inconvenient but also ignore the fact that not all hitters arelevel swinging hitters. U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,823 provides for multipletargets that are adjustable to varying heights, but each targetcomprises a hook-and-loop attached baseball that must be replaced aftereach swing which is yet another inconvenience for the batter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a mounting base which is adaptable for avertical mounting configuration, a plurality of peg support memberswhich are preferably aligned along the mounting base at spacedintervals, and a plurality of resilient pegs that are removablyattachable to the peg support members. The peg support members may bedetachable from the mounting base by means of an interlocking attachmentfeature, and the peg support members maybe cylindrical in shape, withthe resilient pegs being sized so as to snugly fit into the cylindricalpeg support members. The resiliency allows the peg to return to itsoriginal position after being struck.

An object of the invention is to produce a contact training device forbatting practice having a mounting base, a peg support that is removablyattachable to the mounting base, and a peg that a batter may swing atthat is removably attached to the peg support.

Another object of the present invention is to enable an individualbatter to develop hand-to-eye coordination along with a smooth strideand swing through continued batting practice.

Still another object of the present invention is to enable an individualbatter to practice alone without the assistance of another individual tohold a target or pitch a ball.

A feature of the present invention is the audible impact indication;similar to a bat and ball, the peg gives a loud pop when solid contactis made giving the batter immediate feedback as to the accuracy of theswing.

Another feature of the present invention is the deflection indication.When the peg is hit on the topside, it deflects at an angle similar tothat of a ground ball. If the target peg is hit on the bottom side, itdeflects at an angle equal to that of a fly ball; and if hit level, itdeflects simulating a line drive, providing the batter immediatefeedback as to the accuracy of the swing.

An advantage of the present invention is that it may be used indoors oroutdoors and is easily attachable to, and removable from, existingstructures such as a fence, backstop or pole.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it is inexpensive andcan be reused season after season by replacing worn pegs with new pegs.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it providesmultiple targets at which to swing at a multitude of heights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the contact training device.

FIG. 2 is a side view and partial assembly view of the contact trainingdevice.

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembly view of the contact training device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the contact training device depictingalternative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the contact training device 10 generally comprises amounting base 14, a peg support 20 and a peg 30.

The mounting base 14 is of an elongate rectangular shape andincorporates a plurality of circular bores 16 that are spacedequidistantly along the length of the mounting base 14. Note that thebores 16 do not extend completely through the depth of the mounting base14 but rather stop at about a mid-point depth. Each of the bores 16further comprises a plurality of notches 18 spaced equidistantly aboutthe bore 16. The mounting base 14 should be quite rigid and isappropriately made from wood, metal or plastic. The mounting base 14 maybe equipped with mounting brackets such that it maybe attached to achain link fence or backstop. Alternatively, the mounting base 14 maybescrewed to a pole or other existing structure or may simply be attachedto such an existing structure with rope or wire. The mounting base mayalso be attached to its own freestanding foundation.

The peg support 20 is of a tubular shape having an open end 22 to acavity 24 within and a closed end 26. The closed end 26 furtherincorporates a plurality of tags 28 that extend outwardly from the pegsupport 20. The size, shape and spacing of the tabs 28 is commensuratewith the size, shape and spacing of the notches 18. The peg support 20is ideally made of a rigid molded plastic.

The peg 30 is of an elongate tubular shape having a first end 32 and asecond end 34. The first end 32 remains free while the second end 34 isheld within the peg support cavity 24. The peg 30 is appropriately madeof a flexible yet resilient material such as a dense plastic foam. Thefoam can have an exterior skin for wear resistance.

The following dimensions for the above-described items have been foundto work well. A mounting base 14 approximately forty inches in length,approximately six inches wide and approximately two inches deep. Themounting base 14 has five bores 16 approximately two and one-half inchesin diameter with two square notches 18, approximately one inch by oneinch, equidistantly spaced about the bore 16. The bore 16 is drilled toa depth of approximately one inch. The deepest portion of the bore 16having a slot with stops, the slot drilled to a diameter ofapproximately four and one-half inches. The bores 16 are spacedapproximately seven and one-half inches on center and are locatedapproximately five inches on center from each end of the mounting base14. The peg support 20 has a closed end 26 with an outer diameter ofapproximately two and one-half inches and further incorporates squaretabs 28 that are approximately one inch by one inch square. The pegsupport 20 is approximately six inches in length and the cavity 24within the peg support 20 is approximately two inches in diameter. Thepeg 30 itself is preferably about twenty-four inches long andapproximately two inches in diameter. A suitable range for the length is18 inches to 36 inches. A suitable range for the diameter or thicknessis 1¼ inches to 4 inches.

To assemble the contact training device 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 2and 3, the second end 34 of peg 30 may be plied with an adhesive andinserted into the peg support's cavity 24 until the peg 30 makes contactwith the closed end 26. The tabs 28 of the peg support 20 are thenaligned with the notches 18 of the mounting base 14, the peg support 20is inserted through the bore 16 and finally, the peg support 20 istwisted within the bore 16 to lock it in position. Note that the bore 16is drilled out to incorporate a slot within which the tabs 28 are ableto turn. The bore 16 further incorporates stops within the slot to catchthe tabs 28 and prevent the peg support 20 from spinning around in thebore 16. With the peg support 20 in position, the mounting base 14 maybe attached to a fence, pole or other structure as the user desires.

In operation, a batter steps up to the contact training device 10,selects a peg 30 at which to aim, and swings. If the batter makes goodcontact with the peg 30, a loud popping sound will result providing thebatter with immediate feedback. Additionally, the batter will receiveimmediate feedback as to his swing plane by the direction of deflectionof the peg 30. If the peg 30 is hit on the top side, it deflects at anangle similar to that of a ground ball; if the target peg 30 is hit onthe bottom side, it deflects at an angle equal to that of a fly ball;and if hit level, the peg 30 deflects simulating a line drive. Thecontact training device, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, has five pegs 30although any number of pegs 30 may be used. A plurality of pegs 30allows batters of varying heights to use the device 10 without having tomake device 10 adjustments and also allows a batter to practice swingingat a number of targets which by their varying heights simulate variouspitches. FIG. 4 depicts alternative embodiments of the contact trainingdevice 10 having pegs with a bulbous end 36 which can be used to moreclosely simulate an actual baseball.

Note that due to the notch/tab interlocking feature of the peg support20 and the mounting base 14, peg support 20 can be removed and replacedwith a new, fresh peg support 20.

Other attachment means are of course anticipated and the peg itself canbe formed so that stiffness varies along the length of the peg.Additional resiliency can be provided with resilient inner coaxialinserts or peg supports attached to the peg support. In otherembodiments a landing surface may be provided for the end of the pegafter it is hit such that it contacts the surface when flexed providingfor more audible feedback. This can be simply a flat surface on whichthe device is mounted or a separate panel piece attached to the mountingbase or simply an extension of the mounting base.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof; and it is,therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention.

1. A contact training device for batting practice, comprising: anupright mounting base; at least one peg support mounted to said mountingbase and extending horizontally; and a flexible, resilient peg attachedto said at least one peg support.
 2. The contact training device ofclaim 1, wherein each said peg is of an elongate, cylindrical shape. 3.The contact training device of claim 1, wherein at least one of saidpegs is of a cylindrical shape having a bulbous end.
 4. The contacttraining device of claim 1, wherein said at least one peg is removablymounted to said mounting base.
 5. The contact training device of claim4, wherein said at least one peg support further comprises a first endhaving a plurality of tabs extending therefrom and wherein said mountingbase further comprises a plurality of notches for accepting said tabsfor removably interlocking said at least one peg support to saidmounting base.
 6. A contact training device for batting practice,comprising: a mounting base; at least one peg support removably mountedto said mounting base; and a flexible, resilient peg attached to said atleast one peg support.
 7. The contact training device of claim 6,wherein each said peg is of an elongate, cylindrical shape.
 8. Thecontact training device of claim 6, wherein each said peg is of acylindrical shape having a bulbous end.
 9. The contact training deviceof claim 6, wherein said at least one peg support further comprises afirst end having a plurality of tabs extending therefrom and whereinsaid mounting base further comprises a plurality of notches foraccepting said tabs for removably interlocking said at least one pegsupport to said mounting base.
 10. The contact training device of claim6, wherein each said peg is made of dense foam-like material capable ofproducing a loud pop when struck solidly by a swinging batter, the loadpop providing the batter immediate feedback as to the accuracy of theswing.
 11. A contact training device for batting practice, comprising: amounting base; a plurality of peg supports mounted to said mountingbase; and a flexible, resilient peg mounted to each of said plurality ofpeg supports.
 12. The contact training device of claim 11, wherein eachsaid peg is of an elongate, cylindrical shape.
 13. The contact trainingdevice of claim 11, wherein at least one of said pegs is of acylindrical shape having a bulbous end.
 14. The contact training deviceof claim 11, wherein said peg support further comprises a first endhaving a plurality of tabs extending therefrom and wherein said mountingbase further comprises a plurality of notches for accepting said tabsfor removably interlocking said pegs support to said mounting base. 15.The contact training device of claim 11, wherein said peg is made ofdense foam-like material capable of producing a loud pop when strucksolidly by a swinging batter, the loud pop providing the batterimmediate feedback as to the accuracy of the swing.